221(g) visa refusal

Overview

Refusal under Section 221(g) means that essential information is missing from an application or that an application needs additional processing. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case is being refused under Section 221(g).

If further information is required, the officer will tell you how to submit that information. As part of this process, you will be given a written letter and will have 12 months from the date of your application to submit the requested documents without having to pay a new visa application fee. After one year, an application refused under Section 221(g) is terminated per Section 203(e).

If the Embassy requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a TNT Express office. This web page explains how to submit your documents for delivery to the Embassy.

Other Information

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after your interview with a consular officer. You will be advised of this possibility during your interview. When additional administrative processing is required, the length of processing time will vary based on the circumstances of each case. You are reminded to apply early for your visa, well in advance of your anticipated date of travel.

Note: Before inquiring about your visa status, you or your representative must wait at least 60-120 days from the date of your interview or the submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website and Consular Post websites are the definitive sources of visa information. Should there be discrepancies in content, the Consular Affairs website and Consular Post websites take precedence.